Greens launch sex assault inquiry

ACT Greens volunteers will undertake consent training as an inquiry into the party’s response to an alleged sexual assault is launched.

Graffiti concerning the Greens around Canberra.

ACT Greens volunteers will be required to undertake consent training as an independent inquiry into the party’s response to an alleged sexual assault is launched, an email leaked to The Australian reveals.

The email was sent to Greens members by ACT Co-conveners Emma Davidson and Penny Kyburz and details three complaints made during the 2016 election campaign relating to workplace bullying, mismanagement of a volunteer’s mental health and an alleged sexual assault.

The leaked email said complaints pertaining to the alleged sexual assault and mental health mismanagement, which were made more than a year and a half ago, have yet to be resolved. “The complainants and other Party members have experienced significant distress over the period since 2016.” the email reads.

A review of the campaign has already been undertaken and was published in February last year. The party declined to elaborate on the nature of the consent training or when it would be implemented.

A former Greens volunteer alleged she was travelling home in a car with Greens members after an election party in 2016 when a senior volunteer allegedly held her down in the back seat of the car, inserted his fingers inside her vagina and whispered he hated her in her ear.

The woman said she immediately reported the incident to her campaign manager and went to numerous members with her complaint. Prior to the alleged assault she said she reported the man to the party for sexual harassment. She eventually took her complaint to the police who she said told her too much time had passed and her case would be difficult.

The email also stated a sexual harassment policy and workplace bullying policy was developed and implemented in 2017. The ACT Greens would not respond to questions from The Australian if they had a sexual misconduct policy in place prior to this.

ACT Greens Co-Convener Emma Davidson said she was unable to comment on the matter as the issue was still being resolved between the party and the alleged victim. “We are unable to provide detailed comment on matters relating to legal proceedings that are currently underway.” She also said the party has appropriate mechanisms in place for dealing with workplace misconduct. “We can confirm that ACT Greens have policies and procedures relating to sexual harassment, workplace bullying, and volunteer health and safety that are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment.”

The party has now introduced a support group to address issues that arise with volunteers and staffers. “The Support and Mediation Group will become an early intervention group to help mediate problems before they escalate.”